Both Israel and Hamas have made significant demands of any ceasefire proposal, with Israel demanding that the deal would be permanent and contain international guarantees that the rival Hamas government can never rearm. Hamas has demanded that the border crossings reopen and Israel end its military presence in the strip.

There seems to be a split in both the Hamas and Israeli government about whether or not to accept the deal. Syria-based Hamas leader Mashaal has spoken out against a deal, while officials inside the warzone have supported the idea for weeks. Likewise, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert seems determined to keep the war going, whereas indications are if the decision was up to Ehud Barak or Tzipi Livni, the invasion would have ended days ago.